108 Children's Singing Games. 



The Farmer. 



One known as " The Farmer " is rather a merry g-ame. The 

 children form a circle, one standing- in the centre being the farmer. 

 The others dance round him singing : — 



The farmer's in his den, 

 The farmer's in his den, 

 Oh ! I'm a dearie, oh ! 

 The farmer's in his den. 



The central figure then takes one of the others into the middle, and 

 the others revolve round, singing : — 



The farmer takes a wife, 

 The farmer takes a wife. 

 Oh ! I'm a dearie, oh ! 

 The farmer takes a wife. 



The " wife " then chooses another, and the words, 



The wife takes a child, 

 are sung with the usual refrain. The next introduction is — 



The child takes a nurse. 

 Then— 



The nurse takes a dog. 



The stage of the game is then concluded by all clapping the dog 

 on the head and singing : — 



We all clap the dog, 

 We all clap the dog. 

 Oh ! I'm a dearie, oh ! 

 We all clap the dog. 



Should the game be continued the one who was the dog takes the 

 position of the farmer. 



The next is incomplete, as I have been unable to learn all the 

 words. Three of the players advance towards the remainder, who 

 stand in a row. The latter say to the three — 



Will you have some bread and wine, 

 Bread and wine, bread and wine ? 

 Will you have some bread and wine, 

 On this fine and frosty morning ? 



